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24 Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2010 Lang disappointed but not discouraged by draft snub Midfielder's second knee injury scared WPS squads By Herb Garbutt well. She began running this week and, having gone through the same rehabilitation before, she has a better understanding of when to The end of one career and the beginning of push herself and when to take it a little easier. the next haven't exactly gone as planned for The injury occurred during a game against Kara Lang. Cal State Northridge Sept. 25. Lang instantly Her second serious knee injury in three knew it was serious. years didn't just bring an abrupt end to the "As soon as it happened, I knew exactly senior midfielder's playing days at what it was," said the St. Thomas UCLA, it also -- for the moment, "My number one Aquinas grad. "You recognized at least -- delayed her the begin- priority is the that hollow feeling inside your ning of her post-collegiate soccer national team. knee." career. Though it is the same knee If I had been Lang was one of the topshe injured while training with drafted, I might ranked midfielders for last week's the national team in 2006, Lang Women's Professional Soccer be pressured to said it is a new tear and is not (WPS) draft, but the injury -- a come back. I related to the previous injury. torn ACL in her right knee -- wouldn't want And unlike the first injury -- coupled with league limits on to risk that in her first extended period away international players (five per from the game -- it has been a any way." team) meant none of the nine little less frustrating dealing with teams were willing to take a being unable to play. Kara Lang chance. Still, it was difficult finishing Lang, 23, said she would have liked to have her college career, which saw her score 32 been drafted, but being passed over may turn goals and set up 19 more in 76 games, by out to be a blessing. watching from the sidelines. "My number one priority is the national "It was definitely pretty disappointing. I team," said Canada's fourth-leading all-time wanted to leave UCLA on a good note and be goal scorer. "If I had been drafted, I might be able to help the team win a national champipressured to come back I wouldn't want to risk onship," said Lang, who helped the Bruins that in any way." reach the NCAA final in her freshman season. That doesn't mean Lang won't end up in "But at the same time, it's been such an amazthe WPS before the end of the season. She ing experience. I'll always look at it as a posicould still sign with a team as a free agent, but tive." her return to the field will be based on her The national team will not play until the timetable when she knows she's ready to play. Cyprus Cup in March. Lang doesn't expect to "And I'll be able to choose where I end up," be ready for that, but she does hope to return she said. for international friendlies scheduled later in Lang's recovery from the injury is going the year. OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF PHOTO BY JEFF SIPSEY / COURTESY OF UCLA ON THE MEND: Long-time Canadian national women's soccer team standout Kara Lang, pictured in action with the UCLA Bruins, was not selected in last week's Women's Professional Soccer draft after tearing a ligament in her knee last fall. She could still eventually sign with a WPS team as a free agent. Investments with an annual dividend rate of 5.50%*. Yes, you can have your cake and eat it too. Investment Shares are in limited supply and can sell out quickly. Visit your nearest branch or call 1-800-616-8878 to book an Investment Service Chat now. ThinkFirstNow.com *Dividend rates and payments are not guaranteed; however FirstOntario has historically always paid a dividend on its previous two series of Investment Shares. Past payment of dividends in no way predicts future ability to pay dividends.